Public holidays

Austria recognizes 13 statutory public holidays on which work is generally prohibited. These holidays are New Year's Day, Epiphany, Easter Monday, Labour Day, Ascension Day, Corpus Christi, Assumption Day, National Day, All Saints' Day, Immaculate Conception, Christmas Day, and Saint Stephen's Day. Additionally, Whit Monday is observed as a public holiday. On these days, employers must not require employees to work unless specific exemptions apply under Austrian labour law.

The regulation governing public holidays in Austria is established under the Feiertagsruhe (public holiday rest) provisions, which fall under Austrian employment and labour law. The Arbeiterkammer (Austrian Workers' Compensation Board) serves as the authoritative source for guidance on these regulations.

Public holidays in Austria are paid days off for employees, meaning workers receive their regular wages despite not working. Certain sectors and professions may be exempt from the general prohibition on work, including healthcare, emergency services, hospitality, and retail, though employees in these sectors typically receive compensatory time off or additional remuneration.

Employers must ensure payroll systems correctly account for public holidays when calculating wages and overtime. If an employee works on a public holiday, they are entitled to compensation in the form of either additional pay or time off in lieu, depending on the employment contract and applicable collective agreements. Payroll teams should verify which public holidays apply to their specific industry and maintain accurate records of any work performed on these days to ensure proper compensation and compliance with Austrian labour standards.